RED HOOK — A mother was fatally slashed across the throat and found on a public bench in Red Hook early Thursday morning in what investigators are now calling a homicide, police and relatives said.
Sharon Whigham, 51, was found dead about 4:31 a.m. outside the Miccio Community Center at 110 W. Ninth St., near the Gowanus Expressway, NYPD officials said.
Whigham, who family said grew up in Red Hook, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The medical examiner's office ruled her death a homicide, police said Thursday afternoon.
"She loved her family. She had seven kids. She loved every one," said Pretty Isaac, 36, who said she was the woman's niece.
"She was a great person. She was a sweetheart. She wouldn't hurt nobody," Isaac added.
Investigators have yet to recover the murder weapon and there were no immediate arrests, police said.
